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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaanile Mannile

From Irulum Oliyum · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Irulum Oliyum1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ammaaa…..aaa….Oh Mother...
Vaanilae mannilae neerilae poovilaeIn the sky, in the earth, in the water, in the flower,
Ellaam needhaanammaYou alone are everything, Mother!
Selvam needhaan ammaYou are my true wealth, Mother!
Un maarbilae ennai thaalaattammaLull me to sleep on your chest, Mother!
Un madiyilae ennai seeraattammaaCradle and cherish me on your lap, Mother!
Female
Vaanilae mannilae neerilae poovilaeIn the sky, in the earth, in the water, in the flower,
Ellaam needhaanammaYou alone are everything, Mother!
Selvam needhaan ammaYou are my true wealth, Mother!
Un maarbilae ennai thaalaattammaLull me to sleep on your chest, Mother!
Un madiyilae ennai seeraattammaaCradle and cherish me on your lap, Mother!
Female
Chinnachinnamaam pookalilaeIn the tiny little flowers,
Devi un naatiyam kanden….kandenGoddess, I saw your dance... I saw it!
Sittu koottangal vaarthaiyilaeIn the chirping words of flocks of sparrows,
Nee paada naa kettenI listened as you sang.
Ilaiyilae… pinjilae… kaayilae…. kaniyilaeIn the leaf, in the tender fruit, in the raw fruit, in the ripe fruit,
Female
Ellaam needhaanammaYou alone are everything, Mother!
Selvam needhaan ammaYou are my true wealth, Mother!
Un maarbilae ennai thaalaattammaLull me to sleep on your chest, Mother!
Un madiyilae ennai seeraattammaa…ammaaaCradle and cherish me on your lap, Mother... Oh Mother!
Female
Naaraigal ellaam thavam seiyumAll the storks stand in meditation,
Nandugal ellaam nadamaadumAll the crabs dance around,
Koraiyum naanalum asaindhadumThe sedges and reeds sway gently,
Kolangal devi un vilaiyattuThese playful patterns are your divine game, Goddess!
Malaiyilae… maduvilae… nadhiyilae… alaiyilaeIn the mountain, in the pond, in the river, in the wave,
Female
Ellaam needhaanammaYou alone are everything, Mother!
Selvam needhaan ammaYou are my true wealth, Mother!
Un maarbilae ennai thaalaattammaLull me to sleep on your chest, Mother!
Un madiyilae ennai seeraattammaaCradle and cherish me on your lap, Mother!
Female
Uyirgal yaavum en sondhamAll living beings are my family,
Undhan nizhalae en manjamYour shadow alone is my bed,
Iyarkai neeyae en annaiYou are nature, my mother!
Iyarkai neeyae en annaiYou are nature, my mother!
Engum kanden naan unnaiEverywhere I look, I saw only you!
Kannilae …kanavilae… nenjilae… ninaivilaeIn the eyes, in the dream, in the heart, in the memory,
Female
Ellaam needhaanammaYou alone are everything, Mother!
Selvam needhaan ammaYou are my true wealth, Mother!
Un maarbilae ennai thaalaattammaLull me to sleep on your chest, Mother!
Un madiyilae ennai seeraattammaa…ammaaCradle and cherish me on your lap, Mother... Oh Mother!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful song is a devotion to Nature personified as the universal Mother. The singer observes the divine presence of Mother Nature across all natural elements—sky, earth, water, plants, birds, and aquatic life. From the gradual maturation of fruits to the gentle swaying of reeds and the standing storks, every facet of creation is celebrated as a manifestation of her divine play and nurturing presence. The speaker surrenders completely to her embrace, finding comfort on her lap and realizing a deep spiritual connection where all living creatures form one universal family.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (Internal Rhyming Suffixes)

Vaanilae mannilae neerilae poovilae

The rhythmic repetition of the locative suffix '-ilae' across multiple words creates a smooth musical flow.

Personification

Naaraigal ellaam thavam seiyum

Stationary storks waiting for prey are poetically imagined as ascetics performing deep meditation ('thavam').

Metaphor

Iyarkai neeyae en annai

Nature is directly equated to the universal mother, establishing pantheistic love and unity.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Irulum Oliyum' (1971), directed by Puttanna Kanagal, featured music composed by K. V. Mahadevan and lyrics by Kannadasan. This song stands out as a poetic masterpiece honoring nature.

Keep listening

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